The Externship Experience for Veterinary Technology Students

Students gain real-world work experience as part of their education

The Colorado Mountain College Veterinary Technology Program incorporates a seven-week work experience externship in the second semester of the second year. Students have chosen to work in a wide variety of places including clinics, zoos, shelters and other facilities in a diverse range of location, from coast to coast. As a result, many students have impressed their supervisors so much that they have been offered a job.

Here’s what people are saying about the externship experience:

“Bri is doing very well here at the Zoo! She is intelligent, knowledgeable, inquisitive, and quite enthusiastic. We really enjoy having her here.”
-Sandra C. Wilson, DVM, MS
Veterinarian, Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita, Kansas

“I wanted to let you know what a wonderful student Lindsay has been for us so far. She has been punctual and professional as well as helpful and hard working. We are starting to rotate her through the different specialty departments and she has fit in well with everyone so far. I almost always have at least one student here at any given time and so far Lindsay has really stood out as an outstanding student and technician.”
-Beth Woodson, LVT, VTS (ECC)
ER/ICU Manager, Northwest Veterinary Specialists, Clackamus, Oregon

“Brittany has been great! All of us here at San Juan Veterinary Clinic have thoroughly enjoyed her. She has continued to show enthusiasm and improvement with her work and skills. Brittany has opened up quite a bit since she started and is not afraid to ask for help, ask questions, and try new things. Like I said before, I was quite impressed with the technical skills she had coming in to her externship… Now, she has gotten much more comfortable and confident with client interaction and communication. Brittany always has a smile for everyone and upholds a positive attitude continually. I feel she is going to be quite successful in this profession. I will miss her, as will everyone here at SJVC, when she leaves for school again to finish up her tests and finals.”
-Melody Quammen, CVTSan Juan Veterinary Clinic, Montrose, Colorado

“Heather is amazing. After the first day here many of my techs were asking ‘can we hire her?’ Heather is willing to learn all the time and willing to try everything. WE LOVE HER!!!”
-Nicole Ondracek, CVT
Technician Team LeaderVCA Fort Collins Animal Hospital #553, Fort Collins Colorado